Melting-pot feeder.



Patented May 22, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l M V/iN '10 A. George L. Fort A Tm/Iuv G. L. FORT.

MELTING POT FEEDER.

APPLICATION TILED OCT. 4. me.

Patented May 2:2, 191?.

3 SHEJETSSHEET 2.

R Y mF vm 9A W A a a m? 1 q mwwmmwwww W G- L. FORT.

MELTiNG POT FEEDER. APPLICATION FILED Oct. 4. 1916.

1,226,651 Patefited May 22, 1917.

3 $HEETSSHEET 3.

I illll L I"? a A TTO 1? NE 1' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE I4. FORT, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO FORT-IFIED MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

MELTING-POT FEEDER.

I Specification Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed October 4, 1916. Serial No. 123,724. v i

full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form'a part of this specification.

My invention relates to metal melting pots for linotype machines and more particularly to amelting pot for furnishing an auxiliary supply of metal to the main melting pot, the-principal object of the invention being to provide a device of this character wherefrom metal may be delivered to the main pot in a molten condition and which is electrically heated and operated automatically to maintain the level of the metal supply in the main supply pot between certain defined limits.

To those familiar with the operation of a linotype it is known that the .linotype line or slug is formed by bringing together such matrices as are required for a line, spreading them by wedges to the proper width and then bringing them to the mouth of a mold, against which they are tightly clamped,while the molten metal is pumped into the mold. The parts are then released and the linotype slug is pushed out ready for printing.

' To produce the linotype slugs from the machine, a special metal is first supplied to a pot wherein it is heated, usually by a gas flame, and maintained in molten condition.

When the metal is ready, an operator ma nipulates keyboard mechanism. which allows matrices to fall one by one on an elevator.

When there are suflicient characters to fill a.

line they are gripped in a vise mechanism proper magazines and the cast slug delivered from the mold wheel between trimming knives and into a galley.

It is apparent that continued operation of the machine requires frequent replenishing of the metal supply within the main pot, so that the molten metal. may be kept at a suitable depth within the pot and at a proper working temperature.

It has also been found that adding the cold metal pigs directly to the molten metal lowers the temperature of that already within the pot and sometimes interferes with the operation of the pump mechanism.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention I have provided a melting pot .wherein a supply of metal may be stored,

and when needed may be delivered in a molten condition to the main supply pot,

the heating periods'of the pot being controllable by a float mechanism that automatically closes an electrical current through heating coils to heat and melt the supply metal and the latter is delivered to the main pot to maintain the supply at the desired level and temperature to insure proper casting of the type slugs,

Improved details of the device in its preferred embodiment are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure I is a perspective View of a melting pot for linotypes or other composing machines constructed according to my invention, showing its position relative to the main supply pot.

Fig. II is a vertical section through the same parts, and a diagrammatic view of the electrical wiring and control mechanism.

Fig. III is a horizontal section through the heater on the line IIIIII. Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a similar section on the IVIV. Fig. II.

Fig. V is a detail view of the adjustable trip on the float rod for actuating the switch mechanism. i

Fig. VI is a sectional view of a modified form of heater, showing heating coils disposed beneath the supporting base.

Fig. VII is a modified form of heater, wherein the container is tapered to a point, so that base heating coils as in Fig. VI are unnecessary.

Fig. VIII is a sectional view illustrating the mounting of the float and control switch on the supply pot.

Referring more ingsz in detail to the draw- 1 designates a portion of a side frame in the cylinder is a piston 8 operable through a link 5) by mechanism (not shown) to force the molten metal from the cylinder outward through an opening 10 that leads from the base of the cylinder and terminates in a nose 11, and deliver the same to a wheel and matrix form (not shown) where it is cast to form a type slug. v

Mounted on the frame 1 is a clamp 12 comprising a standard 18, which pivotally carries the auxiliary melting pot 14, which embodies the present invention.

The melting pot 14 in its preferred form comprises a base portion 15 having an integrally cast supporting arm 16 provided with an end socket 17 for pivotally receiving the standard 13. Also integrally cast. with the base 15 is an upstanding cylindrical container 18 adapted for receiving the ends of metal pigs 19, which are supported vertically therein and rest at their lower ends on a sloping base 20 adapted for draining the cylinder forwardly to a base opening 21 into which a tube or spout is threaded and which delivers the molten metal from the pot 14 to the main supply pot 2.

Convolutely wound about the container 18 is a plurality of wire heating coils 23, which are seated in spaced sockets 24 of posts 25; the latter being of non-conductive material and spaced about the container 18 andjointed at their upper and lower ends by links 26 and held tightly against the con.- tainer.

Inclosing the heating coils is a casing comprising spaced inner and outer linings 2728 containing anintermediate filling 29 of nonheat conducting material such as asbestos; the said casing being contained at its base within a peripheral flange 30 cast on the base 15 and inclosed at the top by a cap 31 which seats against the upper ends of the coil casing and has a downturned peripheral flange 32 for snugly receiving the outer lining 28 and is provided with a central opening 33 .for receiving the end of the container 18.

Mounted on the cap 31 is a casing 34 comprising semi-circu'lar sections 353G; the section 35 being rigidly mounted and the the base 15 and cap 31, and is adapted for section 36 being hinged at its upper and lower ends to the stationary section by hinges 37, so that it may be opened outwardly to facilitate placing of the pigs 19 within the container.

The casing sections -36 are also provided with a non-conductive lining 238 and may be locked in closed position by hooks 39 pivoted at the opening edges of the stationary section, which are adapted to seat 7r over pins 40 at the edge of the hinged section.

lVith the heater so constructed and the metal pigs inserted in the container 18, heat is provided by passing an electric current through the heating coil 23 which connects at its opposite ends through binding posts 4142 and wires 43-44, and through a switch mechanism presently described with circuit wires 45-+l6. Sufficient heating of Sr the pigs causes the latter to melt and the molten metal flows through the spout 22 into the supply pot 2.

As previously. stated, it is an object of the invention to provide mechanism for auto matically controlling the heating units. This mechanism comprises a float 47 carried at the lower end of a vertical rod 48 slidably mounted in and extending through floating at the surface of metal in the supply pot 2, to move upwardly or downwardly with the rise and fall thereof. The float is urged downwardlyby a weight 49 adjustably carried at the upper end of the rod 48, and the latter is provided below the base 15 with adjustable trips 50-50 spaced on the rod 48 and adapted for actuating a switch presently described, to close a circuit through the heating coil. The trip buttons 5050' preferably comprise short lengths of coil springs 51 which snugly fit on the rod 48 and are contained in housings 52 slidable on the rod; the said springs fit tightly about the float rod, but may be moved to any adjusted position thereon.

Pivotally mounted between cars 53 on the under side of the base 15 is a lever 54, having an arm 55 extended forwardly'and provided with an aperture 56 for slidably re ceiving the float rod 48 and has an oppositely extending arm :57 adapted for movement between contact point's 58 and 59, which are suitably insulated from the sup-. porting base. p

The switch mechanism comprises a base (30 which carries a solenoid 61, one pole of which is connected through a wire 62, binding post (33, the wire 44 and binding post 42 with one end of the heating coil, and the opposite pole is connected through a wire 65, binding post 66 and a wire.67 with a contact" plate 68 at the end of the lever arm 57.

Pivotally mounted on the switch base 60 'the container 18 and base 15. stance the added 0011 1s connected 1n series between ears 6969 is a lever 70 having an arm 71 extending upwardly to overlie the solenoid and pivotally carries a core 72, which is slidably contained within the solenoid coil, the outer end of the arm being provided with a contact point 73 adapted for contacting a stationary point 74 on the switchbase, which connects through a binding post 75, wire 76 and binding post 66 with the wire 67.

The lever 70 is also provided with a downwardly extending arm 77, and attached at the outer end thereof is one end of a coil spring 78, the opposite endof which attaches to the base 60 to yieldingly hold the arm 71 outwardly to disengage the contact points '73 and 7 'Leading from the arm 71 is a wire 79, which connects through a binding post 80 with a wire 81 which leads to the contact point 58, and leading from the contact point 59 is a wire 82, whereby the said point is electrically connected with the coil wire 44.

In Fig. VI I have shown a modified form of heater wherein a coil 85 is placed beneath In this inwith the coil 23 and contained within a housing 86, which carries the switch arm 54 and contact points in a similar manner to that previously described. Another modified form is illustrated in Fig. VII wherein the container 18 is tapered downwardly and the heating coils are wound thereabout,

so that an even heat is applied about the end of the pigs.

In this construction the base coils may be eliminated, but the results that would be produced thereby are still retained.

In Fig. VIII I have shown the manner of mounting the control mechanism on the supply'pot 2. This being accomplished by placing the switch lever 54 and contact points 5859 within a housing 90, which is attached by a band 91 about the pot chimney 92. In this case the coil Wires lead from the heater to the housing 90, and are con nected therein to the points and switch lever as in the previous case mentioned.

Assuming the parts to be so constructed and assembled, the metal pigs preferably cast in half-round bars of suitable lengths are inserted in the container housing 18 and the upper housing sections 3536 closed thereabout. The device is then moved to position on its pivotal mounting, so that the ficat47 has free movement in the pot 2 and the trip 50 adjusted on the rod 47 to main tain the supply at a desired level in the pot 2. Assuming the supply to be suflicien'tly lowered, the, fi'oat 47 carries the rod 48 downwardly causing the trip 50 to contact the lever arm 55 to raise the arm 57 and close a circuit through-the contact points 58 and 68.

As the points 58 and 68 are brought to;

gether a circuit is closed from the line wire 45 through the wire 43, binding post 41, through the heating coil 23, post 42, wire 44, post 63, wire 62, solenoid 61, wire 65, post 66, wire 67, points 68 and 58, wire 81, post 80, and the line wire 46, whereby the solenoid coil is energized to draw downwardly and cause the button 51 to engage the under side of the lever arm 55 to move the arm 57 downwardly and cause a contact between the points 68 and 59.

Contact of the points 58 and 59 causes the current to be carried from the wire 44 through wire 82, contact points 5968, arm 57', wire 67, post 66, wire 76, post 75, contact points 74 and 73, arm 71, wire 79, post 80 to line wire 47 and thereby denergizing the solenoid, so that the arm 71 is drawn outwardly by the tension of the spring 78 and the points 73 and 74 disconnected and thereby cutting off the circuit through the heating coils.

l/Vith the parts so arranged it will be seen that heating of the coil continues until sufficient metal has been melted to raise the float to open the electric circuit. When the metal supply is diminished sufficiently the'circuit is again closed and heating resumed. This cycle is continued automatically, so that the metal. supply may be maintained substantially constant.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In combination with a melting pot, an auxiliary melting device comprising a con- 'tainer for metal pigs, means for electrically heating said container, and means automatically controllable by the varying level of metal in the melting pot for controlling the heating means.

2. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary melting device comprising a container for metal pigs, means for electrically heating said container, and means for delivering molten metal from the container to the metal supply pot, and means automatically controllableby the varying level of metal in the supply pot for controlling the heating means.

3. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary melting pot comprising a container for metal p igs, a heating coil surrounding said container, means for delivering molten metal from the container to the supply pot, anda float controllable by its base through which metal may the varying level of the metal in the supply pot for closing or breaking a circuit through the heating coil.

at. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary melting pot comprising a container pivotally mounted above said supply pot and having an opening therein at be'delivered to the supply pot, an electrically heated coil surrounding said container, a switch mechanism, and a float operable by the varying level of the metal in the supplv pot for actuating the said switch mechanism for closing or breaking an electric current through the heating coil.

5. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary melting, pot comprising a pot, an auxiliary melting pot comprising a base adapted for pivotal movement above the supply pot, a container on said base for containing metal pigs and having an opening in its base, whereby molten metal may be delivered therefrom to the supply pot, a heating coil surrounding said container, a housing of non-heat conductive material surrounding said coils, a housing mounted on the container, comprising a stationary and a hinged section forinclosing the metal pigs and automatically operable means for controlling an electric circuit through the heating coil.

7. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary melting pot comprising a container for metal pigs, a heating coil surrounding said container, a solenoid having electrical connection with said coil, a switch in said connection, a float controllable by the varying level of metal in the supply pot for actuating said switch to close a circuit through the solenoid, means operable on energiza-tion of the solenoid for closing a circuit through the heating coil, and means operable by an opposite movement of the float and switch for deinergizing the solenoid to break the circuit through the heating coil.

8. In combination with a metal supply pot, an auxiliary'melting pot comprising a container for metal pigs, a heating coil surrounding said container, a switch lever pivotally mounted beneath the container having movement between spaced contact points, a

-float operable by the varying level of metal in the supply pot for actuating said switch lever between said contact points, a solenoid having electrical connection with the switch lever and one of said contact points, whereby on contact of said lever and point the sole noid may be energized, means operable on energization of the solenoid for closing a circuit through the heating coil, and means v for breaking the circuit through the solenoid on contact with the switch lever with the opposite'contact point, and means operable on delnergization of the solenoid for breaking the circuit through the heating coil.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE L. FORT. 

